"Good heavens!"
"One of your windows was seen open."
"He had not come in through it."
"Then you were heard raising your voice."
"That was to my maid. This is all through her. I don't know how to tell you, but she leaves me in the morning. Yes, yes, there was a man, but it was not Stingaree. I saw him myself through coming up early, but I let him go as he had come, to save a fuss."
"Through the window?"
"I am so ashamed!"
"Not a bit, Miss Bouverie. I am ashamed of bothering you. Confound the police!"
When the voices and steps had died away, Hilda Bouverie turned to Stingaree, her whole face shining, her deep blue eyes alight.
"There!" said she. "Could you have done that better yourself?"